United Kingdom → Ireland

Driving in Ireland when you know the United Kingdom

Differences first, worst-to-get-wrong first. Rules that match are folded away at the bottom.

What's different (6)

Speed limit on the motorway

Critical

United Kingdom · home70 mph — about 113 km/hChecked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destination120 km/h — about 75 mphChecked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit on country roads

Critical

United Kingdom · home60 mph — about 97 km/hSingle carriageway roads.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destination80 km/h — about 50 mphRegional (R-numbered) roads. National (N) roads are 100. Small local (L-numbered) roads dropped to 60 in February 2025 — older guidance still says 80.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

Speed limit in towns and cities

CriticalVaries by region

United Kingdom · home30 mph — about 48 km/hEngland and Scotland. Wales uses 20 mph as the default in built-up areas.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Wales20 mph — about 32 km/hThe default in built-up areas. Some roads are signed back up to 30.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destination50 km/h — about 31 mphMore and more town cores and housing areas are signed 30.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

How much alcohol you may have in your blood

CriticalStricter than at homeVaries by region

United Kingdom · home80 mg/100mlEngland and Wales. Scotland uses a lower limit.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Scotland50 mg/100mlChecked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destination50 mg/100mlMuch stricter than Great Britain's 80 — a pint can put you over here.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

Height below which a child needs a child seat

Important

United Kingdom · home135 cmUntil 135 cm tall or age 12, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destination150 cmOr under 36 kg. Licensed taxis are exempt.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

How you pay for motorways

Important

United Kingdom · home

Toll booths
City charges

Almost all motorways are free. The M6 Toll and several bridges and tunnels charge. London and Durham charge to drive in the city centre.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destination

Toll booths
Electronic tolls with no barriers

Most tolls are barriers taking cards or cash. The big exception is Dublin's M50: no barriers, cameras only — pay online or at a Payzone shop by 8pm the NEXT day, or penalties go to the rental company. Rental cars often carry a tag; ask when you collect the car.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

Known on one side only (19)

Which side you overtake on

United Kingdom · homeRightChecked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Speed limit on a dual carriageway

United Kingdom · home70 mphChecked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Speed limit when towing a trailer or caravan

United Kingdom · home

Motorway — 60 mph
Dual carriageway — 60 mph
Country roads — 50 mph

Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Alcohol limit for drivers who passed their test recently

United Kingdom · homeNot yet verified

Ireland · destination20 mg/100mlLearners and drivers in their first two years — effectively zero.Checked 6 Aug 2026 · official source

Youngest age you may drive

United Kingdom · home17 yearsChecked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Turning at a red light

United Kingdom · homeNot allowedRed means stop for every direction. A separate green arrow is the only exception.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Age below which a child needs a child seat

United Kingdom · home12 yearsUntil age 12 or 135 cm tall, whichever comes first.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

What the lines and painted kerbs mean

United Kingdom · home

Double yellow line — no parking. No waiting at any time, even without an upright sign.
Single yellow line — no parking during signed hours. The hours are on nearby time plates, not on the road.
Double red line — no stopping. Red routes. No stopping at any time.
Single red line — no stopping. Red routes. Applies during the times shown on nearby signs.
White zigzag line — no stopping. Marks the approach to a pedestrian crossing.

Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Winter tyres

United Kingdom · homeNot requiredChecked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

When you must switch your headlights on

United Kingdom · homeNot requiredHeadlights are required at night and when visibility is seriously reduced.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Who has priority at a roundabout

United Kingdom · homeTraffic already on the roundabout goes firstGive way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Parking on the pavement

Varies by region

United Kingdom · homeNo single national answer:

EnglandAllowedExcept London, where it is banned. Discouraged everywhere, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026

ScotlandNot allowedChecked 3 Aug 2026

WalesAllowedDiscouraged, and obstructing the pavement can be fined.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Parking facing against the traffic

United Kingdom · homeAllowedBy day only. At night you must not park facing against the traffic flow unless in a recognised parking space.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

How far you must park from a junction or crossing

United Kingdom · home

A junction — 10 m

Advisory rather than a fixed law, except where markings say otherwise.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Low-emission zones

United Kingdom · homeIn many citiesLondon has its own ultra low emission zone. Clean air zones operate in Bath, Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Portsmouth, Sheffield and Tyneside, and Scottish cities have separate low emission zones. Most only charge vehicles that miss emissions standards.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Congestion charges

United Kingdom · homeIn some citiesLondon and Durham.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Emergency number

United Kingdom · home999112 also works and reaches the same service.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Whether police can fine you on the spot

United Kingdom · homeYes — visitors must pay at the roadsideFixed penalties are normally paid later, not at the roadside. A driver who cannot give a UK address must pay a deposit on the spot.Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Typical fines

United Kingdom · home

Holding a phone — fine from 200 GBP, 6 points (Drivers who passed their test within the last 2 years lose their licence instead.)

Checked 3 Aug 2026

Ireland · destinationNot yet verified

Same in both (6)

Which side of the road you drive on — Left official source
Whether you need an International Driving Permit — Not required official source
Holding a phone while driving — Not allowed official source
Who must wear a seatbelt — Everyone, in every seat official source
How long you may drive on your own licence — 12 months official source
Hands-free phone calls — Allowed official source